You'd think after stick to macros for four months straight to diet down to a show that it would be simple. I know how to hit my macros. I know how to be disciplined and dedicated to a plan. But, what I am lacking is the end goal. Before, I was cutting to be lean by a specific date. I paid for coaching. I had accountability. Now it is me, myself and I.

This isn't the first time since my show that I have tried to get myself back on track. However, this time around I feel different. I don't feel ready to give up after a not so perfect week. I am mentally ready to keep pushing myself to improve.

This past week was far from perfect. Here are a few things I learned:

1. Sneaking bites here and there add up. Whether it's squirting fat free redi whip in my mouth, licking the bowl while baking, or sneaking the broken brownies from the pan, it adds up. Simple as that. When I question why I am not seeing progress, it is because I am not honest with my tracking. And, that needs to change.

2. Leave a snack in my car. Something I struggle with is eating too many of my calories too early. Since I am training for a 5K - I need to go to the gym after I leave the office to get some cardio in, if not run outside. Leaving a snack in my car seems to be the trick to saving something to munch on pre-workout. Otherwise, I find myself feeling light headed and weak during my workout or I skip it all together.

3. My calories may be too high to see the results I want. Having a desk job makes it a bit more difficult to create the caloric deficit I need to see a 0.75lb loss a week. However, before lowering them from 1,900 - I plan on hitting them without sneaking bites.

4. If you go off track - hop right back on! With a bunch of travel, it makes tracking a bit more difficult. Now, while it isn't impossible to track while traveling, I choose to enjoy making memories over macros.

I am a foodie and like to enjoy trying new places without ordering grilled chicken and vegetables or starving myself all day to fit something crazy in. It just isn't worth it, especially when I am not cutting for a show. I just want to lose a few pounds. What I need to remind myself is if I have a day or even a few days off track, it is not the end of the world. If I continue to drink my water, exercise and get back on track the next day instead of giving up I will make less of ding to my progress.

Remember, fitness isn't a one way journey. Just because I figured it out once before doesn't mean I do not encounter new struggles. As long as I do not give up, then I will succeed. Same goes for you all!

Do not be discouraged by failures! Use your failures to build you up. Learn from them. Keep going!